The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

I had thick canvas tarps I could have used. I also could have thrown some straps over the tarps and then untarped it around the corner and took it where it’s going. They crush coal, which is literally dead bugs, and they use water to keep the dust from exploding lol

 

I've seen you mention felt before. Seems like a good idea, folds or rolls up smaller than moving blankets, much smaller than carpet.

How does it hold up to really sharp stuff, like the corners on decking, let's say? I had a load recently of these insulated metal panels, basically it was an insulation load with sheet metal corners poking out all over the place. Stuff like that tends to poke through a lot of types of padding, but I don't really carry enough carpet to cover that much stuff.

 

I had a similar load as @RedRover. My padding proved inadequate. I patched the tarp afterward with that super strong tape that plugs any leak as advertised on TV.

My next tarp load I prepared by purchasing a roll of flooring padding. I wasn't satisfied. Exactly what kind of felt are you using? Can you tape it into place or to form shapes?

Edited to add: I'm a tarping newbie. Six tarped loads in three years, but it may become a trend as one of our good customers is now requiring tarps.

 

Here's Central Oregon Trucking parked across 3 spots. Every man for himself!!!

 

But hey, there weren't any lines!

Is that the Grand Canyon behind that line of trucks?

 

I wouldn't wanna try and go down in it. Probably get high centered.

 

In over five years nothing has punctured it yet.

I haven't tried taping it, but i put grommets every few feet along the edges so i can use bunjees to hold it tight over the product. Havent had a grommet pull out while stretching a bunjee down to the trailer so its pretty tough stuff.

The stuff i got is about 1/4 inch thick, in 12x15 sheets. Tri city canvas sells it, but they are stupid high. I got it from mercers company store inn Louisville, they used to sell to anyone but if that's changed i will get some and ship to ya at cost or meet up with ya somewhere. I paid 25$ a sheet, i have heard tri city canvas sells that same sheet for something stupid like 75 bucks.

 

The wind beat your tarps to hell, you said it & that’s what tore your tarps. Padding definitely would of helped, but bungees tied to upper d-rings & pulled tied will eliminate flopping of tarps. I’ve tarped a lot of loads like that & worse. Felt padding, large pieces of scrap tarps, lots of bungees. Also good to know what kind of weather your heading into, if your crossing WY, spend extra time making sure it’s tight.

 

Putting a small strap with a handratchet from above the metal piece over the tip down to the side off the trailer would also have helped.
Back when i ran flatbed,there were times i put small straps lenghtways over a machine after i secured it.
It is not a fixit all,you cannot do that allways.
It is extra ammo in your arsenal to be used when the situation occurs.

With parts sticking out as much as Redrover's load,rope is your best friend.

 

Old tarps cut to around 120" wide (lenghtways you cut then as long or as short as you feel comforteble) are also cheap and good padding.
And you can reuse them countless times.
No need to secure them,just put them over the load.
Quick and easy.